Lahore: The Punjab government has announced plans for a Dubai-inspired elevated expressway in Lahore, aimed at tackling the city’s worsening traffic congestion and cutting down commuting times for thousands of daily travelers.
The project, reviewed earlier this week in a high-level meeting chaired by Housing Secretary Noor ul Amin Mengal, will feature a four-lane eco-friendly corridor running from Gulberg to Babu Sabu along the city’s main stormwater drain. Officials said the expressway will serve more than 70,000 commuters every day, slashing travel time between Gulberg’s Main Boulevard and the M-2 Motorway to just 10 minutes.
Six Major Interchanges Planned
According to the proposed design, the expressway will include six major interchanges, with further links to Lahore’s Metro Bus and Orange Line Metro Train systems. Authorities believe this integration will not only smooth traffic flow but also encourage the use of public transport, reducing both congestion and carbon emissions.
Connectivity and Modern Features
The corridor will connect key residential and commercial areas, including Main Boulevard, Canal Park, Shadman, Shama Chowk, Chaudhry Colony, Toheed Park Bridge, Gulshan Ravi, Moon Market, and Bund Road, before linking up with the Babu Sabu Toll Plaza on the Lahore–Islamabad Motorway.
Planners said the project will incorporate multiple entry and exit ramps, landscaped green belts, state-of-the-art traffic management systems, and strict safety measures. The emphasis, they added, is not only on functionality but also on improving the city’s urban landscape.
Expected Benefits
Once completed, the expressway is expected to shorten overall travel distances across connected routes by nearly 82 kilometers, creating a fully signal-free corridor. Officials argue the project will significantly improve mobility while strengthening Lahore’s image as a modern metropolitan hub.
Relocation of Markets and Bus Terminal
During the meeting, participants also discussed shifting wholesale markets to locations outside the city limits to reduce inner-city congestion. Plans for a new bus terminal near the motorway directly linked to the expressway were also tabled.
Approval Process
To ensure smooth execution, a Lahore Traffic Decongestion Committee will be set up to monitor planning and progress. A detailed Environmental Impact Study will be carried out before the proposal is sent to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif for final approval.
Senior representatives from the Lahore Development Authority (LDA), the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), and Nespak engineers were present at the meeting, signaling the project’s importance within Punjab’s broader infrastructure development strategy.
